NBA
If you're an NBA fan, the last twelve months have been a blast. There were so many compelling story lines coming in to the season, that I feel lived up to the billing and had something for everybody. In the past twelve months, we have had: Lebron James" Decision, the reality show that was the Miami Heat, the Lakers run at a three peat, Phil Jackson's final run (maybe), the Boston Celtic's potential final run, the Carmelo Anthony saga, Shaquille O'neal's retirement, young players who took their game to new levels ultimately ushering in a new era of elite players, a surprising trade deadline, George Karl beating cancer -- again, and a drama filled two months of playoff basketball that concluded with a champion that may be the last of its kind. This season of basketball essentially started June of 2010 after Lebron came out and said he was "Taking his talents to South Beach." That, followed by one of the most egotistical displays I have ever seen in sport by holding a pre-season parade and ceremony, and we were off and running. (Seriously, who holds a parade and guarantees a decade long dynasty when all you have proven so far is that you look good getting off the bus. I do think the Heat are the NBA favorites for at least the next two years, but it's things like this that provide fuel for all of the critics when the Heat fail, and rightfully so.) Unbelievably so the euphoria of this past season will soon come to a screeching halt with a dismal draft class, and a lockout that seems as certain as death and taxes. Before basketball fans fall in to deep depression though, lets reminisce about the good and what the future holds for the league.
- Dirk Nowitzki officially cemented himself a hall of famer and the best foreign player ever in the NBA. People who were quick to anoint him a top ten 10 guy of all time were star struck, caught up in the moment, but what he did throughout the playoffs was nothing short of extraordinary. In the new, "It takes two ... or three" era of championship basketball, Dirk dragged the Mavericks through most of the playoffs, and when he struggled his team got him over the hump. If single star championship teams are a thing of the past, that was one hell of a sendoff.
- Ultimately, the Heat losing is better for basketball. Think about it -- If they win, all the critics have nothing to say and everyone gives in to the fact that they are destined for greatness. As it is, we are revamping for another season of team togetherness, drama, Lebron's legacy status, whether the team is complete, etc. The Heat will be title favorites for at least the next two years, but early defeat will bring about a humility that should ultimately make them better.
- Moving forward, basketball has to be happy with where the game is from a player stand point. Every generation has its superstars, and when their time comes, everyone looks for someone to take the proverbial torch. As Shaquille Oneal -- the last, great link to the 90's -- retires, and players like Kobe and Garnett age, this season really showed that there is more than enough young talent waiting for their spotlight.
What was a somewhat dismal regular season morphed into a stellar post season. A Canadien power and cup favorite playing a highly beloved Original Six team to a game 7 for the Stanley Cup is about as much as hockey could ask for. In the NHL playoffs, a team truly does go as far as their goalie can take them, and Tim Thomas proved it. There were nine game 7's this playoff season, and Thomas was an absolute impenetrable wall for three of them. In the Canucks three wins in the finals, Luongo was terrific, In their four losses, he was terrible. Thomas was nearly unbeatable, win or lose, and thus the difference. Hockey has made some serious strides in the past couple of years as new, young stars emerge, and I think that is something they really have to build on in the fall this year with the NFL and NBA seasons still in turmoil. They, along with College Football, have the most to gain from those lockouts, and not taking advantage of that would almost be as bad as the 2004 - 2005 lockout.
RORY, RORY, HALELUJAH
Two months ago, I wrote that defeat brings humility. It makes you wiser, and it makes you determined to be better. For Rory McIlroy, that showed true this weekend at the U.S. Open. The last time we saw Rory, he made some snide comments about Tiger Woods and followed that up by playing perhaps teh worst nine holes of golf in PGA history. Everyone plays a poor round now and then, or every time out if you're like me, but only a select few shoot +10 on the back nine of the Masters and ultimately choke away the jacket. This time though, the Rory stayed grounded and used past struggles to propel him to a record setting win at the U.S. Open. Is he the next Tiger? NO. Tiger Woods is potentially the best individual athlete ever, and his accomplishments simply transcend sports. What Rory is though, is a new, young face. Something fresh for the golf world to stand behind, and has all the potential in the world to build a career making him viable to be considered one of the greats.
THE ROAD TO OMAHA
This weekend I had the opportunity to attend my first College World Series game. While I wasn't that caught up in the actual game itself, it was more the atmosphere in the game, and nostalgia of seeing the old stadium that really makes it special and why I LOVE college sports. While the new stadium is fine, the old Rosenblatt Stadium is an absolute diamond in the rough. The framework and structure of the building is everything the part of a link to the past. One thing that I have always felt separates college from pro sports is, pro sports is an allegiance. College sports is a way of life. A persons loyalty to a collegiate team is typically a direct link to a part of who they are, making the games seem a little more important and ultimately adding to the spectacle of the sport. There is also something to be said about most college athletes being kids playing for the love of the game, and not paid megastars with their own agendas.
That's all i got. Promise to get back on the ball with the writing. Maybe, kinda.
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